Tragic Birthday Gift Explosion Claims Life of Top Ukrainian Military Aide

Major Hennadiy Chastiakov, a close adviser to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was killed and his son seriously injured when a grenade he had received as a birthday gift exploded. Initial reports suggesting an assassination attempt from Russia were dismissed by Ukrainian law enforcement, who deemed it a "tragic accident." The deadly device was one of six grenades given to Chastiakov in a wooden box along with a bottle of whiskey. The investigation is ongoing, but there is currently no evidence of foul play.